How I Got Into Optometry School

Applying to optometry school, or schools in other health professions, can feel overwhelming for many prospective optometry students. With so many resources offering conflicting advice, it’s hard to know where to start, so this is my guide on How I got into Optometry School. Optometry school is an intensive four-year program that demands both academic excellence and unwavering commitment, especially during the first two years when the coursework is most rigorous. This applies to other health professional schools, such as medical schools, and dental schools! Given that there are only two optometry schools in Canada and just 23 in the United States, standing out as a strong applicant is essential. In this article, I’ll share how I got my acceptance into the University of Waterloo’s School of Optometry (including tricks for all the schools in the United States), how my passion for the field developed throughout my undergraduate studies, and the key steps I took to become a competitive applicant for the Optometry program.

I. Is It Hard to Get Into Optometry School?

Getting into optometry school is competitive, but very achievable with early preparation. Schools look for applicant's GPA (keep in mind that many schools in America, such as the New England College of Optometry or Illinois College, also consider science GPA), solid OAT scores, and meaningful clinical or volunteer experience. Many applicants apply to multiple programs to improve their chances. Optometry schools seek well-rounded candidates who can balance academics with real-world exposure and professionalism. With consistency, preparation, and passion for eye care, you can absolutely stand out as a strong applicant. 

Building a Strong Academic Background

Optometry school applicants require disciplined study habits and community involvement from the very first day of classes. Throughout my four years of my Bachelor's degree as a pre-optometry student, I made it a priority to cultivate these qualities by consistently managing a full course load each semester. This was particularly important, as programs such as the University of Waterloo’s School of Optometry and Vision Science, require applicants to demonstrate the ability to handle a full academic schedule with required courses for a minimum of six terms. During my first and second years, I completed many of the prerequisite courses in the natural sciences, math, and physical sciences that were required by most optometry schools across Canada and the United States. I strongly recommend researching these prerequisite courses early to plan your coursework strategically before the admissions process. This is especially true for academically demanding subjects such as organic chemistry, physics, and molecular biology. If you are ever uncertain about course scheduling and/or workload, consulting an academic advisor early can be very helpful! For more information on average GPA requirements per school, check out our article Optometry School Statistics to get more information on the average GPA of the incoming class per optometry school.

Gaining Clinical Experience

Developing hands-on clinical experience was essential to becoming a strong applicant for more competitive schools. Early in my undergraduate studies, specifically in my first semester, I began shadowing optometrists, observing routine eye exams, contact lens fittings, and ocular disease management to ensure I truly saw myself pursuing optometry! Keep in mind that many optometry schools require applicants to complete a minimum number of shadowing hours to demonstrate exposure to the profession. So, accumulating these hours not only fulfilled that requirement but also allowed me to understand the day-to-day responsibilities of optometrists and the importance of patient communication and individualized care. To continue building on this foundation, I started working as an optometric assistant in the summer of my second year, where I interacted directly with patients, conducted preliminary testing, and assisted with procedures such as visual field testing and ocular imaging. This role strengthened both my technical skills and my ability to navigate a clinical environment effectively, further demonstrating my readiness for the hands-on nature of optometry school. In my fourth year, I tied these experiences together in my thesis project, where I studied a topic I became interested in through examining vision therapy and low vision patients during my time as an optometric assistant. By integrating my clinical observations and practical knowledge into research, I was able to showcase my ability to connect academic learning with real-world optometry applications.

Preparing for the OAT

The Optometry Admission Test (OAT) is a standardized test and is one of the most important components of the optometry school application process, evaluating your knowledge in biology, general and organic chemistry, physics, quantitative reasoning, and reading comprehension. I dedicated the summer after my third year entirely to OAT preparation, using OATBooster as my primary study resource. While the average OAT score is a 300, I knew that I wanted to score at least a 350+ to set me up for success when applying to the U.S. and Canada. OATBooster provided structured study schedules, practice exams, detailed video explanations, and realistic practice questions that closely mirrored the actual exam format. I followed a consistent study plan of 6-8 hours a day, dedicating specific days to each subject area before my exam date. I began with a comprehensive content review to strengthen my foundation, then gradually shifted to timed practice tests to build endurance and improve pacing. Regularly reviewing mistakes and revisiting weaker topics helped me reinforce my understanding and refine my test-taking strategy. If you would like more information on how to study for this standardized test, check out our articles:  How to Study for the OAT and What to Expect on OAT Exam Day.

While I prepared for the OAT during the summer before my final year, I strongly recommend writing it earlier, ideally in the summer after your second year. Completing the test sooner allows additional time to retake it if necessary! 

II. Planning your Third Year of Undergrad

Your third year of undergraduate studies is one of the most critical stages in preparing for optometry school. In my third year, I continued working at a private practice where I had developed valuable hands-on experience in patient care and clinical procedures alongside other pre-optometry students. Alongside this, I began studying for the OAT using structured resources, such as OATBooster, to help plan my study schedule and understand the application process in greater depth. I also made a conscious effort to build meaningful connections with my professors, seeking mentorship and future recommendation letters for my application as I wanted to ensure it was a meaningful and strong letter.

Depending on your readiness, you may choose to apply at the end of your third year, if your prerequisites, OAT test scores, and community services requirements are completed. If you are interested in applying, ensure you are familiar with OptomCas application portal, which you will use to apply to many American schools and complete your supplemental applications. Check out our article on navigating the website: OptomCas Application Guide. If you are unsure of what school to apply to, check out our article to choose the best optometry school for you! 

III. Planning your Fourth Year of Undergrad

By fourth year, things start to come full circle, you’re finishing up your degree, managing advanced courses, and wrapping up your optometry applications. Personally, I tried to complete my OptomCas supplemental applications in early September for American schools, as it is recommended to apply early for schools with rolling admissions (I only applied to the New England College of Optometry), and then focused on my University of Waterloo application, which was due in November. Be sure to check out our article on “How to Write a Personal Statement” to ensure you are presenting yourself as best as possible in your personal statement. I completed my interview days by early January, which felt like such a relief. However, even though I had a conditional admission from the admissions department, I still had to maintain a high GPA (both cumulative and science GPA). In particular, I had to continue showing consistency in my grade trends and extracurricular activities, such as my commitment to the pre-optometry club, even after I accepted my offer from the University of Waterloo's admissions committee. Keep in mind, that official transcripts still have to be sent to your school of interest even after you accepted your offer!